The Atlantic just dropped what it clearly hoped would be a knockout blow against FBI Director Kash Patel. Instead, Patel came out swinging.
The magazine published a lengthy anonymously sourced article late Friday night titled “The FBI Director Is MIA,” alleging that Patel has engaged in “erratic behavior,” “excessive drinking,” and “unexplained absences.” The piece cited more than two dozen unnamed sources, including current and former FBI officials, congressional staff, and lobbyists.
Patel’s response? He didn’t flinch. Not even for a second.
Within hours of the article going live, Patel took to X and made his position crystal clear:
see you and your entire entourage of false reporting in court… But do keep at it with the fake news, actual malice standard is now what some would call a legal lay up. https://t.co/MfbHH8OtLv pic.twitter.com/kw5U3LrfMM
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) April 18, 2026
“Actual malice standard is now what some would call a legal lay up.” That is not the
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